Examining Intimate Partner Violence-Related Fatalities: Past Lessons and Future Directions Using U.S. National Data

Abstract

Purpose Among homicides in the United States, intimate partners kill almost 50% of female and 10% of male victims. Intimate partner violence (IPV) also contributes to an estimated 6% of suicides. These trends suggest that opportunities for IPV interventions prior to the fatalities may have been missed. Thus, researchers must investigate the context and circumstances of IPV-related fatalities to inform effective prevention strategy development. There are two primary national fatality databases that can be used to examine such factors: the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS, homicide and suicides); and the Uniform Crime Reporting-Supplementary Homicide Reports (UCR-SHR, homicides). These datasets include data on many IPV-related violent deaths but are limited by variations in data quality. Method This critical review summarizes opportunities and challenges when examining IPV-related fatalities using these national datasets. To document how the current literature is conceptualizing IPV, a rapid review on IPV-related homicide and suicide articles was performed (2019–2022). Missingness analyses were conducted to describe limitations in key dataset variables. Results These datasets enable tracking IPV-related fatalities nationally over time. However, issues with the operationalization of variables that record IPV circumstances, particularly in the UCR-SHR, and high levels of missingness represent significant barriers to research. Novel methodologies can optimize the use of these datasets. Conclusion National-level datasets enable researchers to examine IPV-related fatalities, evaluate policy differences between states, and monitor trends and disparities. This research can inform key recommendations for interventions to prevent IPV-related fatalities. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10896-022-00487-2.

The Research Utility of the National Violent Death Reporting System for Understanding Homicide Trends

“…Some measures contain so much missingness that they may not be reliable for study (CDC, 2021). We also found large amounts of missing data in suspect characteristics, which was exacerbated in 2020, possibly in part due to low and declining homicide clearance rates (AbiNader et al, 2023; Li & Lartey, 2022). Furthermore, circumstance measures are indicators of detection and, therefore, do not specify whether the absence of a circumstance is simply unknown or a true negative.…”

A Transdisciplinary Analysis of Domestic Violence Homicides in Harris County, Texas (2016-2020)

“…Through a transdisciplinary research approach with community-based collaboration, this study provides more nuanced insights into domestic violence homicide that have been often overlooked due to inconsistencies in defining the boundaries of domestic violence homicides and limitations to national data sources (e.g., NVDRS) in identifying IPV as precursors to homicides in narratives (AbiNader et al, 2023). The translation phase of the research, which is currently ongoing, focuses on using research results to create real-world implications and meaningful impact (Pineo et al, 2021).…”

“There’s room to do more”: a mixed-methods study of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) diversion program and intimate partner violence in Georgia

“…Intimate partner violence (IPV), defined as “physical, psychological, or sexual abuse or aggression that occurs in a current or former romantic relationship” ( 1 ), is a pressing public health and policy concern. In its most severe forms, IPV can culminate in homicides or suicides of the victim, perpetrator or other individuals (i.e., corollary victims) ( 2 ). Since gender-based violence was decreed a political issue in the 1960s and 1970s ( 3 ), much of the public and legislative dialogue around government protections against IPV in the U.S. emphasized measures that were more reactive than preventive in nature.…”

“…The toll of IPV is both physical and psychological ( 1 ), impacting an estimated 10 million people in the U.S annually ( 27 ). In addition to being a significant public health problem that increases the risk of chronic disease, sexually transmitted infections, mental illness, substance use, and injury ( 28 , 29 ), IPV is a risk factor for both homicides and suicides ( 2 , 30 ). Roughly 1 in 5 homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner ( 1 ).…”